The life of the Polish artist, Edward Jarmosiewicz, is marked and determined by four passions; his family, his homeland, his paintings and his Christian love of the Virgin Mary.  He grew up surrounded by those loves in a house where for generations strong family ties, Christian beliefs and artistic talents were helpful in surviving Poland’s tumultuous history.  

Edward Jarmosiewicz was born in Poland in 1941 and from his early childhood Jarmosiewicz was fascinated by paintings of the Virgin Mary, specifically the painting “Our Lady of Czestochowa.”  He painted his first aquarelle copy of this painting when he was just 6 years old, so strong was his fascination and admiration for the Mother of Christ.  Since then Edward Jarmosiewicz created several hundred paintings of the Madonna, including many reproductions of the “Madonna of Jasnagora,” “Our Lady of Koden,” “Madonna of Ostrabrama.”  

To Edward Jarmosiewicz his paintings and reproductions are a “gate to God” and an “open window, [a] road leading to God.”  He once said, “It is the mission of each and every icon to bring us closer to our Lord, His will.  If painting doesn’t work that way then it is hollow, dead.  My pictures are like praying, they express my deepest love to the Mother of Christ.”  Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski of Poland, the cardinal of Philadelphia, and many bishops of Catholic Church have prayed in front of his works.  Today his paintings and reproductions adorn churches and private collections across the world, including the galleries of the Vatican and many Polish Cultural Centers in the United States and Canada.

Jarmosiewicz’s painstakingly detailed approach to every reproduction was born out of love and respect for the old masters.  A thorough study of the original work, including a historical and biographical investigation of every individual in the original, always preceded the first brush stroke.  This often required several visits to a museum and many hours spent in front of his future work. Only then would the long process of reproduction begin. 

 One characteristic trait of Jarmosiewicz’s paintings is his loyalty to even the smallest details of an original. This almost photographic accuracy made his copies so extraordinary and is enriched by his deep Christian beliefs and his love for the Madonna.  Edward Jarmosiewicz’s Christian beliefs, his passions and his love are always present and visible in his paintings, regardless whether one considers Rafael’s “Madonna,” St. Luke’s “Mother of Christ,” an old Russian icon or historical battle scenes from works by the Polish master, Jan Matejko.
  
Pictures of Christ’s Mother are honored throughout the Catholic world.  Amongst the most sacred icons of the Catholic Church is “Our Lady of Czestochowa,” also known as the “Black Madonna of Jasnagora”- so named because of the soot residue that has discolored the painting, caused by centuries of votive lights and candles burning before it.  Jasnagora (Bright Mountain) is a sacred monastery in southern Poland and is located in the city of Czestochowa.  According to some scholars this picture was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist, and it was while he was painting that Mary told him about the life of Jesus, which he later incorporated into his Gospel.  

The next time we hear of the painting is in 326 A.D. when St. Helen found it in Jerusalem and gave it to her son, who had a shrine built for it in Constantinople.  It probably remained there till XIII century and the next time it appears in historical notes is 1382, when Poles fighting the invading Tartars mentioned the miraculous assistance of The Black Madonna in winning that war.  Soon after, Polish King Ladislau Jagiello transferred the painting to a church in Czestochowa, and “Our Lady of Czestochowa” was made Queen and Protector of Poland.  

Many miraculous events such as spontaneous healings have occurred for centuries for those making the pilgrimage to Czestochowa to view the portrait.  In describing “Our Lady of Czestochowa,” John Paul II said, “This painting is a work of art. God’s Providence is using man’s hands, man’s art and skills to show us the deepest mysteries and the Truth.  Our Lord is working through man’s deeds and these deeds become visible signs of Gods will”.  For over half of century, Edward Jarmosiewicz humbly and with extraordinary talent has fulfilled Lord’s will.
 
 
-biography of Edward Jarmosiewicz by Chris Mielczak